By Daniel Smith
Media Services Assistant
Q: Your team finished 6-3 in nonconference play, the program's best non-league record since the 2004 team that won the Atlantic Sun and qualified for the NCAA tournament. Talk about how you feel the team progressed in the preseason and throughout the nonconference schedule.
A: Our program has been a work in progress not only since the preseason but for the past several years. I liken what we are doing with women's soccer very much to what Coach Steele and his staff have had to do over the past four years in that we have had to essentially rebuild a program while they've built one from scratch. We have a proud history but through a variety of circumstances things were tough at one point but through some work by our staff and a lot of trust, vision and tremendous effort by the players who share our passion for what Campbell University soccer could once again be, we have put ourselves in a great position at 8-3-0 (as of October 2nd) and in the thick of a conference battle. Physical fitness has been important and technical proficiency too, but the biggest asset our team now enjoys is a true commitment to be the best that this particular group of young women can be together for one another. It is clearly evident. It is not easy in today's world to say you want to excel at something. People say it a lot but live average lives and don't want to rock the boat to be the best but we are fortunate to have some people connected to our program who share this vision and truly are attempting to be something more.
Q: How do you feel the crowd support has been so far in 2011?
A: In a word, FANtastic. We have not only the typical vocal support that comes with any college team that is winning by its home fans but we have enjoyed an unreal traveling group. There have been a hardcore group of guys from Kitchin and the Wrestling team that are helping lead our home support. And it would be criminal not to mention the tail-gating and organization our fans have taken on the road with us. We have out numbered our AWAY crowds several times! We even had a few of our players' buddies follow us to Rock Hill for a three and a half hour journey last week. That show of support can't help but encourage our kids to perform even more when they know how much others are supporting their efforts.
Q: Senior midfielder Pirjo Leppikangas notched the first hat trick in program history since 1998 in the 3-0 win over Gardner-Webb in the Big South Conference opener. She also leads the conference in assists and is tied (with Campbell's Ashley Clark) for total points; what has her style of play meant to the team?
A: Pirjo is really becoming the player we knew she could be. She is a quiet player and person but when she walked out of her exit meeting last spring we discussed some very lofty goals at her suggestion and it really gave our staff chills. I have been fortunate enough to coach some exceptional ladies, including a number on this team, but none can hit a ball like Pipe, as she showed with her free kick against GWU last week. She is one of several offensive sparks we have and any coach looks a little more clever when they can call on such a powerful athlete. The best part of it is that she has even more to leave us with before she is done. On top of that, she is a great young woman who is everything Campbell can celebrate in the many international student-athletes that are on our campus.
Q: You seem to have a good mix of veteran and newcomer talent on this year's roster. How has the team blended together on and off the field?
A: This has been the key strength I think of our team. We have as much depth as any team I have ever had. Our older players are really leading by example, not just giving it lip service. It makes it impossible for a freshman to complain about playing time when a senior substitute, who has started in the past, is cheering like mad and taking minutes as they come with grace. We have older kids who realize the importance of the newcomers and newcomers who are assimilating into our version of how to do it. We've had as many as five freshmen on in the heat of a match with Wake Forest or Virginia Tech and then a few minutes later everyone on the field is a returning veteran. The big thing is that most nights we have enough people answer the call that their class really isn't what matters but that they are wearing orange and black.
Q: Are there any particular areas that you are looking to improve on as the season goes forward?
A: I think like any coach, I am never totally happy (the players will "Amen" this!). There is always something. I would like to continue to clean up the rare defensive miscues and add another goal here and there earlier but I think the most important thing for this group, drawing on experience from other championship teams I have been blessed with, is to remember the ultimate goal while enjoying the moments along the way. This is a team that has every right to believe they can win a conference championship and get a crack in the NCAA tournament. Not everyone will play 90 minutes or be the star on the day but if the entire group of twenty-five can set aside egos for the team then we can have a heck of a time together both on and off the field. The 90 minutes is important obviously but there is so much more to being on a great team. If people will embrace that a little more then I am really excited for how the on the field stuff might just play out.
Q: What are your thoughts as you head into the heart of Big South Conference play?
A: Not to be arrogant or say something stupid that will end up on anyone's bulletin board but our own, but this is not something that we just started planning for last week or even in preseason. We have altered our recruiting, been deliberate about who we bring onto campus, specifically scheduled for this conference, and made every effort to bring a title home to the Creek. I am very aware of others attempting to do the same but we match up well in the BSC and have played the best schedule of the eleven schools in order to be where we are at the moment. We may fall short but it won't be for lack of planning on the staffs part or work on the kids. Other teams will have their say but we hope to have the last word.
